Hong Kong police probe pond cleaning operation that killed more than 100 fish

Hong Kong Police have launched an investigation into animal cruelty after more than 100 fish, including large koi, died while a pond was being cleaned at a public housing estate in Tseung Kwan O.The incident occurred on Monday morning when a cleaning contractor removed the fish to facilitate maintenance, but allegedly failed to provide a temporary space with adequate aeration, according to the animal rights group Hong Kong Pigeon and Dove Rescue.“Someone has called for help. A cleaning company came to wash the fish pond and simply scooped all the fish out and set them aside … Since 1pm [on Monday], the death toll has been rising continuously because there are no air pumps,” the group wrote in a Facebook post.The force on Tuesday said it received a report at 8.01pm on Monday from a passer-by who discovered dozens of fish kept in three separate crates outside a pond near King Min House at King Lam Estate.Initially classified as a request for police assistance, the case was subsequently reclassified as cruelty to animals. A probe is underway by the Tseung Kwan O district criminal investigation team, although no arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning.The cleaning contractor removed the fish to facilitate maintenance but allegedly failed to provide a temporary space with adequate aeration. Photo: Hong Kong Pigeon and Dove RescueThe aftermath of the mass die-off was captured in a widely circulated photograph showing dozens of dead fish, including large orange-and-white koi, laid out in neat rows across the wet brick pavement.